NCW — The mayors of Quincy, Oroville and Brewster all have challengers, along with quite a few other positions up for election in North Central Washington this year. Candidates for open positions had to file for election this week.

LEAVENWORTH — Authorities say a 37-year-old rock climber who died Tuesday in a fall near the base of Snow Creek Wall southeast of Leavenworth was trying to avoid a rock that was coming at her. Amy R. Stein — whose age was incorrect in initial reports — was initially from Boston, Mass., but had been living in Squamish, B.C.

WENATCHEE — Several school and ambulance levies in Chelan and Okanogan counties are all passing after ballots were counted in Tuesday’s special election. But two bond issues sought by the Entiat and the Okanogan school district are currently falling short of the required 60 percent needed to pass.

NCW — Voters in four Chelan County school districts will soon decide on funding proposals ranging from construction projects to classroom programs. Ballots must be dropped off or postmarked by the Feb. 12 special election.

WENATCHEE — The state Department of Ecology on Tuesday banned all outdoor burning and the use of uncertified wood-burning stoves, inserts or fireplaces in Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties, until further notice. Current weather conditions has resulted in stagnant air, and air quality monitors in Wenatchee and Twisp recorded moderate air quality, while those in Leavenworth and Okanogan registered air unhealthy for sensitive groups.

WENATCHEE — The state Department of Ecology is offering a new fee-based program to speed up the water rights application process, and the Wenatchee Basin will be the first to try it out. Some 150 water right applicants will get letters inviting them to help hire a consultant who can sort through applications so that water for new applicants can become available. Applicants can then reimburse Ecology for hiring the state-approved contractor to process pending applications.

With the Leavenworth Fruit Warehouse demolition nearing completion, city administrators are wasting no time determining how to cover the $1.2 million price tag. The new parking lot, which will cover about 75 percent of the 118,000 square foot space along Highway 2, will be a pay-to-park lot.

WENATCHEE — It may be Black Friday in town, but some parts of North Central Washington woke up to a white Friday. Some 5 inches of new snow coated the Methow Valley, and 7 inches had fallen in areas north of Lake Chelan.

LEAVENWORTH — The community is invited to register for the “Learn 10 Lichens Workshop” which will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, in the barn at the Wenatchee River Institute, 347 Division St. Interested participants are asked to register by contacting Susan Ballinger at 669-7820 or skylinebal@gmail.com. Cost is $10 and class size is limited. Payment must be made by check to the Wenatchee River Institute or through an online payment.